Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) faces just 10 rivals as she bids to become only the second filly since 1990 to complete the G1 1000 Guineas-Investec Oaks double at Epsom on Friday, but has the potentially tricky stall one to overcome to do so. Ryan Moore faces the age-old dilemma on Michael Tabor's May 3 Newmarket Classic heroine, with the almost-instant swing to the right meaning that a forwardly ridden runner might be trapped wide while traffic issues could dog one settled in behind. Having already won over excess of a mile in Gowran Park's Listed Victor McCalmont Memorial S. Apr. 26 and being from the immediate family of the Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame and Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), the stamina box is ticked as the bay bids to become the first Irish-trained filly outside of the Ballydoyle stable to win this in 24 years. “A mile is as short as she would ever go,” trainer David Wachman said at the recent “Breakfast With the Stars” morning at Epsom. “We have always liked her a lot, but last year she was quite big and tall. She has definitely got stronger since her win at Newmarket.”
Aidan O'Brien withdrew the long-time ante-post favorite Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), as expected, and left in the strong trio of Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})and Qualify (Ire)(Galileo {Ire})with Joseph O'Brien booked for last year's G1 Fillies' Mile scorer Together Forever.
Susan Magnier's bay was a highly encouraging second under a penalty to Lady Bamford's Star of Seville (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) in the G3 Musidora S. at York May 13, while Roisin Henry's colors will be carried by Seamie Heffernan on Diamondsandrubies. Successful by six lengths in Chester's Listed Cheshire Oaks last time May 6, she bids to avenge the defeat of her dam Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) by the last Guineas-Oaks heroine Kazzia (Ger) (Zinaad {Ire}) in 2002. She will be the fifth from the immediate family to attempt to win this, with Quarter Moon's sisters Yesterday (Ire) and All My Loving (Ire) also placing second and third in 2003 and 2007 respectively.
Aidan O'Brien said of the trio, “We are very happy with Diamondsandrubies, who put in a good trial at Chester and likes to be ridden patiently. Together Forever ran a lovely race at York, as she was a little ring-rusty before the two-pole and then stayed on so she looks like a filly who will definitely get a mile and a half well. Qualify ran a very good race [when 10th] in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas [at The Curragh May 24] and should improve for a step up in trip. She is in good form.”
Heffernan partnered Was (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to success three years ago and that performer's 5-million guineas full-sister Al Naamah (Ire) is the sole French contender this time. Al Shaqab Racing's TDN Rising Star was second on her sophomore bow in Saint-Cloud's G3 Prix Cleopatre over 10 1/2 furlongs May 13 and it is significant that Andre Fabre sends her to this race over the G1 Prix de Diane.
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